Succession and Real-Life Media Families

HBO’s hit Succession follows the Roy family, led by patriarch Logan Roy who leads an influential media conglomerate that includes news, theme parks and cruises – which has drawn comparisons to real media families that face their own succession issues.

Showrunner Jesse Armstrong recently admitted that when creating Succession, he and the writers considered various billionaire media families when developing it. But which family exactly does the show focus on?

The Murdochs

Rupert Murdoch is an iconic media mogul renowned for his expansive empire and contentious family life. His children range in age from 43-30 and often fight over his wealth and power; some even attempt to break away from him and the company altogether.

Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession, has made clear that the fictional Roy family doesn’t resemble any specific family; however, real media families provide inspiration for his satirical dramedy series.

Armstrong wrote a screenplay called Murdoch in the early 2010s that featured a media mogul hosting a birthday dinner and trying to convince his older children that the two youngest by his latest wife should get voting rights in his company. Although never produced, this script captured perfectly how family battles over legacy and fortune unfold within any one family unit.

The Redstones

Succession’s fictional family is inspired by several media families such as Hearsts, Malones and Rupert Murdoch’s. One of Succession’s co-authors has noted some striking parallels between the fictional Roys in Succession and real-life Redstone family dynasties like Redstone family of Redstone family dynasty of media moguls; thus Succession being inspired by it as well.

Sumner Redstone amassed an enormous empire by controlling CBS and Viacom, but as he aged his family drama quickly degraded. He clashed with Shari over their stake in his business while fighting off dementia diagnosis after trying to stay in power; health worsened, leaving two women as caretakers; one would become his minder while simultaneously planning to milk him for millions more than she initially anticipated.

He ultimately agreed to hand control of their family companies over to Shari, and soon after his death soon after, began fighting back for $150m he gave them.

The Mercers

Succession’s mogul family depicting them, the Mercers are among the most realistic. Though show writers take creative liberties in depicting this family, the Mercers have invested millions of dollars into conservative causes since Citizens United removed limits on contributions; their daughter Rebekah serves as an advocate for various nonprofit groups that are connected by them.

The family played an instrumental role in creating an alternative media ecosystem that lent its voice to Donald Trump’s nationalist agenda and his campaign for president. They provided funding to Breitbart News under Bannon, fuelling his populist narrative that dangerous immigrants and corrupt power brokers were harming American democracy.

Rebekah and Rebekah’s husband co-founded Glittering Steel Film Production Company together, and fund an accountability group used as the backdrop of “Clinton Cash.” Additionally, these investors contribute funds to support a government accountability group known as Clinton Cash that was featured in “Clinton Cash.” Lastly, these individuals have ventured into film production through Glittering Steel which also co-founded by Rebekah’s husband.

The Sulzbergers

Sulzbergers, one of America’s premier media families, hold an unparalleled position in business. Since 1896 when Arthur Hays Sulzberger’s great-grandfather bought The New York Times newspaper and became its owner, their dynasty has controlled it through various members – AG Sulzberger (portrayed by Brian Cox).

Succession draws inspiration from various media moguls–Rupert Murdoch, John Malone, Robert Fitz of Comcast and the Mercers of Breitbart are among them–but Logan Roy’s family rivalry seems particularly inspired by the Sulzberger clan at the Times. While dynastic control of major media companies may become less common as advertising revenue declines further, the Sulzbergers remain in charge at The Times, instilling each successive generation with a sense that their responsibility for maintaining its legacy makes them perfect fodder for an intense rivalry such as that between Logan Roy’s family and Logan Roy’s family!